The possibilities for this gem are endless! What will you use it for? Earrings? A pendant? Headpiece? Bridal jewelry? In a Wedding bouquet...

All natural genuine, cultured, freshwater pearls. These pearls are half-drilled, which means they are intended to be mounted not strung; and they have a small flat spot on the bottom where the half-drilled hole is.

Pearl is the official birthstone for the month of JuneIt is also the birthstone for the Sun Signs of Gemini and CancerFresh water pearls are given on the 1st wedding anniversaryPearls are also given on the 3rd, 12th and 30th anniversariesLore: Cultured or freshwater pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection, and luck. Pearls are thought to give wisdom through experience, to quicken the laws of karma and to cement engagements and love relationships. They are thought to keep children safe.Early Chinese myths told of pearls falling from the sky when dragons fought. Ancient legend says that pearls were thought to be the tears of the gods and the Greeks believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying.

Pearls are quite "soft" and range between 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. They should be protected from extreme wear. Clean with a soft cloth ONLY.______________________________________________________________________Most pearls today are cultured. Marine and freshwater mollusks (oysters and mussels) are collected and a small shell bead placed inside. The mollusks are then returned to the water where they make the pearl. Layers of calcium carbonate are secreted, coating the piece of shell, to form a spherical, oblong, or irregular-shaped pearl. It takes roughly 3 to 7 years for mollusks to produce a single pearl. The color of the pearl varies depending on the type of mollusk. (The oysters and mussels that make the pearls are not related to the edible varieties of oysters and mussels.)

Most natural and cultured freshwater pearls are found in the waters of Japan, China and the South Seas, however many are harvested along the coasts of Australia and the rivers of Austria, France, Scotland and Ireland. Cultured freshwater pearls are also grown along the Mississippi River in the United States.

More interesting information about pearls can be found here: http://www.pearl-guide.com/

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